Solomon Burke (born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American preacher and singer, who shaped the sound of
rhythm and blues as one of the founding fathers of
soul music in the
1960s[2] and a "key transitional figure in the development of soul music[3] from rhythm and blues.[4][5]

Burke's most famous recordings, which spanned five years in the early 1960s, bridged the gap between mainstream R&B and grittier R&B.[10] Burke was "a singer whose smooth, powerful articulation and mingling of sacred and profane themes helped define soul music in the early 1960s."[11] He drew from his roots –
gospel,
jazz,
country and
blues – as well as developing his own style at a time when
R&B, and
rock were both still in their infancy.[12] Described as both "
Rabelaisian"[13] and also as a "spiritual enigma,"[14] "perhaps more than any other artist, the ample figure of Solomon Burke symbolized the ways that
spirituality and commerce, ecstasy and entertainment, sex and salvation, individualism and brotherhood, could blend in the world of 1960s soul music."[15]

Burke credited his grandmother as his main spiritual and musical influence.[29][30] He learned how to sing all forms of music from his grandmother's coaching him to listen to music on the radio.[17][27][29] Burke began preaching at the age of 7 at the Solomon's Temple.[25] He was described in his young preaching years as a "frantic sermonizer" and "spellbinding in his delivery";[31] and was soon nicknamed the "Boy Wonder Preacher" for his
charismatic preaching in the pulpit.[32] Burke became a pastor of the congregation at age 12, appeared on the radio station
WDAS,[33][34] and later hosted a gospel show on
WHAT-AM, mixing songs and sermons in broadcasts from Solomon's Temple.[35] On weekends he traveled with a truck and tent, to
Maryland,
Virginia, and
the Carolinas to carry on the spiritual crusade of his church.[14] Influenced by
Superman,[36] "the first sign of a royal
persona was evident in the cape that he wore only on Sundays, made from his "
blankie"[32] by his grandmother.[37]

Burke had six younger siblings – a sister, Laurena Burke-Corbin (born 23 June 1946),[25] and five brothers: Elec Edward "Alec" (born 16 February 1948),[38] Vladimir H. "Laddie" (born 31 July 1949),[39] Mario "Chuck" (born 13 September 1953),[38] Daniel S. "Danny" (born 10 March 1955),[38] and Jolester R. M. Burke (born 24 September 1958).[21][25][38][40] From an early age Solomon Burke worked to supplement his family's income. He recalled: "I used to deliver grocery orders in a little wagon I made out of fish boxes. When I was seven, I sold newspapers out of my own newsstand on the corner of 40th and Lancaster. I had the first 99-cent car wash, which was located at 40th and Wallace outside Al's Barber Shop. We had it there because he was the only one who would let us use his water. We could wash your car in 20 minutes. I had four or five guys, gave 'em each a nickel for each car."[1] Another briefly held early job was as a
hot dog seller at Eddie's Meat Market, where his friend Ernest Evans, later known as
Chubby Checker, also worked.[1] Burke eventually graduated from
John Bartram High School.[25][41][42] He first became a father at 14.[43]

During high school, Burke formed and fronted the quartet, the Gospel Cavaliers.[44] He received his first
guitar from his grandmother, later writing his first song, "Christmas Presents".[1][45] The Cavaliers began performing in churches. It was around this time that Burke met
Kae "Loudmouth" Williams, a famed Philadelphia
deejay with help from Williams' wife, Viola, who saw Burke and the Cavaliers perform at church.[46][47] Before entering a gospel talent contest in which a record deal was for first prize, the group split up.[25]

Burke entered the contest, held at Cornerstone Baptist Church, as a solo artist and won the contest against eleven other competitors.[25] Soon, several labels including
Apollo,
Vee-Jay Records and
Peacock Records pursued the 15-year-old.[48] Before pursuing the deal, Burke signed Kae Williams as his manager.[25] Williams then took him to Apollo Records introducing him to
Bess Berman, who signed him to the label.[14] The move was made after Williams added four years to Burke's age, which led to confusion from the press about his age.[14]